The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be using almost half of the 430 MHz amateur radio allocation as well as segments of 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz during the period June 28 to September 23.
The impact on the Amateur-satellite Service 435-438 MHz allocation has been restricted to 436.25-437.25 MHz. It is understood that the equipment being used in the 430 MHz band will include handheld FM rigs at the hotels, the routes to the venues and the venues themselves.
The UK communications regulator Ofcom has provided details of the areas that need to be protected from RF within the designated frequency ranges. Ofcom say: Use of radio by Amateurs in the areas defined in Annexes A and B below could cause interference to Games applications; it is also possible that higher power transmissions from outside these areas could cause interference. Consequently, to avoid the risk of interference to Games applications, Ofcom request that Amateurs do not operate within the frequency ranges identified in the areas defined in Annexes A and B, and that Amateurs ensure that any signals that could be received in these areas are negligible.
Individual Amateurs should assess if their transmission is likely to be received in the defined areas and if in any doubt please DONT operate within the frequency ranges identified.
This indicates that the specified frequency ranges should be avoided for a considerable distance outside the designated zones. Clearly a well equipped station on a good site 75 km from the edge of a zone could still put a signal into that area.
Ofcom also say: There are a number of Amateur contests that fall within the period of the 2012 Games. We can accommodate these providing the Amateur activity is kept to the dates of 6th – 8th July, 4th – 5th August, 14th August and 11th September.
The wideband OMEGA Time Distance system will be used by the sailing vessels taking part in the events at Weymouth. When the system was first tested in August 2011 it operated across the 430 MHz band and it was noted that the repeater GB3SD suffered interference while the trials were taking place. See the South Dorset Repeater Group log at http://sites.google.com/site/southdorsethamradio/sdrginfo/sdrglog It is understood that for the Games this year OMEGA will be using a different frequency band.
Annex A: Areas in which 431-432 MHz, 432-433 MHz paired with 436.25-437.25 MHz and 438-439 MHz need to be protected for Games use.
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/amateur-radio/spectrum_use/Annex_A.pdf
Annex B: Areas in which 2.39 – 2.4 GHz and 3.41 – 3.44 GHz need to be protected for Games use.
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/amateur-radio/spectrum_use/Annex_B.pdf
Annex C: Details of some other changes and restrictions that will apply to repeaters and RAYNET use.
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/amateur-radio/spectrum_use/Annex_C.pdf
Ofcom Statement http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/amateur-radio/ar_spectrum_use/
RSGB Olympic and Paralympic Games information http://www.rsgb.org/operating/londonolympics2012/